Washcloth holder

ABSTRACT

A washing device having an integrally formed handle and scrubbing head. The scrubbing head includes a recessed channel formed around its outer periphery and sized to receive a retaining band securely attached to the scrubbing head. The scrubbing head receives a removable scrubbing member, which is retained along the scrubbing head by the retaining band. The retaining band entraps the scrubbing member within the recessed channel such that the scrubbing member can be selectively removed and cleaned when desired.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Appln. Ser. No. 60/485,640, filed on Jul. 8, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a washing device for use in washing a body surface that is not readily accessible for manual contact, such as the back of a person. More specifically, the present invention relates to a washing device that allows for the use of a replaceable washcloth such that the washcloth can be used during washing of the person and can be removed for cleaning when required.

Presently, a wide variety of washing devices for use in bathing the body are available. Many of these devices include a handle portion attached to a scrubbing portion such that the user can reach hard to access portions of the body. In many washing devices, the scrubbing portion of the device is fixedly attached to the handle and cannot be removed from the handle for cleaning. Thus, after repeated uses of the washing device, the scrubbing portion becomes dirty and is difficult to clean. If the scrubbing portion becomes sufficiently soiled, the user must dispose of the entire washing device.

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a washing device having a removable scrubbing member such that the scrubbing member can be removed for cleaning. Further, it is an object of the invention to provide a retaining means on the handle of the washing device that allows the scrubbing member to be easily and quickly removed and replaced by a user as desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a washing device that permits washing of all parts of the body without the need for bending. The washing device includes an elongated body comprised of a handle and a scrubbing head. Preferably, the handle and scrubbing head are formed as a single piece from either wood or plastic.

The scrubbing head includes a recessed channel formed around its outer peripheral surface. Further, the scrubbing head includes an upper surface having a scrubbing surface formed thereon. Preferably, the scrubbing surface is a section of sandpaper adhesively attached to the upper surface of the scrubbing head.

The scrubbing head further includes a retaining band that is securely attached to the scrubbing head. Preferably, the retaining band is a continuous section of flexible tubing having a portion entrapped within the scrubbing head by a removable dowel. The dowel can be removed to replace the retaining band should the retaining band become damaged during normal usage.

The washing device further includes a scrubbing member that is removably attachable to the scrubbing head. Preferably, the scrubbing member is a towel or hand cloth having a size such that opposite ends of the towel extend past the recessed channel formed on the scrubbing head. When the towel is placed along the upper surface of the scrubbing head, the towel is entrapped within the recessed channel formed around the scrubbing head by the retaining band. The towel can be removed and replaced by releasing the towel from within the recessed channels by removing the retaining band.

Various other features, objects and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the washing device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a section view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the removal of the washcloth from the washing device; and

FIG. 4 is a section view taken along line 4-4 illustrating the retention of the elastic retaining band within the handle of the washing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring first to FIG. 1, a washing device 10 of the present invention is shown. The washing device 10 includes an elongated body having a handle 12 and a scrubbing head 14. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the elongated body, including both the handle 12 and the scrubbing head 14 are formed from a single piece of wood. However, it is contemplated by the inventor that the elongated body could be formed from other materials, such as molded plastic.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the handle 12 has a shape configured for holding by a user. Preferably, the handle 12 has a length of approximately 12-18 inches, although other lengths are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the scrubbing head 14 includes an upper face surface 16 that includes a roughened scrubbing surface 18. The scrubbing surface 18 can be used by a user to remove dead skin from portions of the body, such as the heel of the foot. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the scrubbing surface 18 is a section of sandpaper adhesively attached to the upper surface 16. However, it is contemplated that other types of roughened surfaces other than sandpaper can be used while operating within the scope of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the scrubbing head 14 includes a recessed channel 20 that extends along the outer perimeter of the scrubbing head 14. The recessed channel 20 is formed between an upper lip 22 and a lower lip 24. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the recessed channel 20 is formed by removing a portion of the scrubbing head 14 through conventional woodworking techniques. However, it is contemplated that if the washing device 10 is formed from molded plastic, the recessed channel 20 can be molded into the scrubbing head 14 during the initial creation of the entire elongated body, including the handle 12 and the scrubbing head 14.

The washing device 10 further includes an elastic retaining band 26. The elastic retaining band 26 is held in place along the scrubbing head 14 by a dowel 28. The dowel 28 is received within a hole 30 formed in the scrubbing head 14, as best illustrated in FIG. 4. The dowel 28 and the hole 30 are formed of a similar size such that the dowel 28 can be retained in the hold 30 by friction. The dowel 28 entraps a portion of the retaining band 26 within the hole 30 such that the retaining band 26 is securely held in place. The dowel 28 can be removed to replace the retaining band 26 should the retaining band 26 break during normal use. As set forth above, the dowel 28 is friction fit within the hole 30 such that no additional components, such as an adhesive, are required to hold the dowel 28 in place.

As shown in FIG. 3, a scrubbing member, such as towel 32, can be attached to the scrubbing head 14. As illustrated, the towel 32 is folded multiple times such that the towel 32 has a size slightly larger than the size of the scrubbing head 14. The towel 32 is positioned on the upper surface 16 of the scrubbing head 14 such that the opposite ends 33, 35 of the towel 32 extend past the channel 20. Once in position, the retaining band 26 is stretched to retain the towel 32 on the scrubbing head 14. Specifically, the retaining band 26 is received within the recessed channel 20 such that the towel 32 is pressed into the recessed channel 20, as shown in FIG. 2. Preferably, the ends 33 and 35 of the towel 34 extends past the recessed channel 20 such that the retaining band 26 can hold the towel 32 in place.

As can be understood in FIGS. 1 and 3, when the towel 32 is to be removed from the washing device 10, the retaining band 26 is pulled outward from the recessed channel 20 such that the towel 32 is not longer held in place along the upper surface 16 of the scrubbing head 14. Once the retaining band 26 has been removed, the towel 32 can be washed or cleaned as desired. Additionally, if the user desires to use the scrubbing surface 18 shown in FIG. 3, the towel 32 is initially removed to uncover the scrubbing surface 18.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the Figures, the retaining band 26 is formed from a flexible, rubber tube. However, it is additional components, such as an adhesive, are required to hold the dowel 28 in place.

As shown in FIG. 3, a scrubbing member, such as towel 32, can be attached to the scrubbing head 14. As illustrated, the towel 32 is folded multiple times such that the towel 32 has a size slightly larger than the size of the scrubbing head 14. The towel 32 is positioned on the upper surface 16 of the scrubbing head 14 such that the opposite ends 33, 35 of the towel 32 extend past the channel 20. Once in position, the retaining band 26 is stretched to retain the towel 32 on the scrubbing head 14. Specifically, the retaining band 26 is received within the recessed channel 20 such that the towel 32 is pressed into the recessed channel 20, as shown in FIG. 2. Preferably, the ends 33 and 35 of the towel 34 extends past the recessed channel 20 such that the retaining band 26 can hold the towel 32 in place.

As can be understood in FIGS. 1 and 3, when the towel 32 is to be removed from the washing device 10, the retaining band 26 is pulled outward from the recessed channel 20 such that the towel 32 is not longer held in place along the upper surface 16 of the scrubbing head 14. Once the retaining band 26 has been removed, the towel 32 can be washed or cleaned as desired. Additionally, if the user desires to use the scrubbing surface 18 shown in FIG. 3, the towel 32 is initially removed to uncover the scrubbing surface 18.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the Figures, the retaining band 26 is formed from a flexible, rubber tube. However, it is contemplated that other materials and structures can be used to replace the retaining band 26.

Further, although a towel 32 is shown as being used as the scrubbing member, it is contemplated that other structures, such as a sponge, paper towel or similar structure could be utilized while operating within the scope of the present invention.

Various alternatives and embodiments are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention. 

1. A washing device, comprising: a handle member for grasping by a user; a scrubbing head attached to the handle, the scrubbing head having an upper surface; a scrubbing surface formed on the upper surface of the scrubbing head, the scrubbing surface having a roughened texture; a recessed channel formed along at least an outer peripheral surface of the scrubbing head; a retaining band securely held to the scrubbing head, the retaining band being sized to be received within the recessed channel formed along the outer peripheral surface of the scrubbing head; and a scrubbing member removably attachable to the scrubbing head, wherein when the scrubbing member is positioned on the scrubbing head, the scrubbing member extends past the recessed channel such that the retaining band retains the scrubbing member within the recessed channel.
 2. The washing device of claim 1 further comprising a dowel removably attachable to the scrubbing head to secure the retaining band to the scrubbing head.
 3. The washing device of claim 1 further comprising a layer of sandpaper adhesively attached to the upper surface of the scrubbing pad.
 4. The washing device of claim 1 wherein the scrubbing head and the handle member are formed as a single unit.
 5. The washing device of claim 4 wherein the handle member and the scrubbing head are formed from wood.
 6. The washing device of claim 1 wherein the retaining band is formed from a continuous section of flexible tubing.
 7. The washing device of claim 1 wherein the scrubbing member is a towel.
 8. The washing device of claim 2 wherein the retaining band is entrapped between the dowel and a hole formed in the scrubbing head such that the retaining band is secured to the scrubbing head.
 9. A washing device, comprising: a handle member for grasping by a user; a scrubbing head extending from and integrally formed with the handle member, the scrubbing head having an upper surface; a scrubbing surface formed on the upper surface of the scrubbing head, the scrubbing surface having a roughened texture; a recessed channel formed along at least an outer peripheral surface of the scrubbing head; a retaining band securely held to the scrubbing head, the retaining band being sized to be received within the recessed channel formed along the outer peripheral surface of the scrubbing head; a removable dowel removably positioned within a hole formed in the scrubbing head, the retaining band being entrapped between the dowel and the hole to secure the retaining band to the scrubbing head; and a scrubbing member removably attachable to the scrubbing head, wherein when the scrubbing member is positioned on the scrubbing head, the scrubbing member extends past the recessed channel such that the retaining band entraps the scrubbing member within the recessed channel along the outer peripheral surface of the scrubbing head. 